Meakins dominates at 2025 BCQS Barbados Squash Masters tournament

Reigning World Champion Karen Meakins continued her winning ways with a dominant performance in the women’s 35-54 division of the 2025 BCQS Barbados Squash Masters tournament being played at the Barbados Squash Club in Marine Gardens, Hastings, Christ Church.

Meakins, a seasoned veteran of the squash court, defeated Lori-Ann Foley of England in straight sets 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 to take another win. A tough contender, Meakins’ precise shot placement and tactical awareness once again proved too much for her opponent.

The Men’s 55-64 category featured several exciting matchups, with Trinidad and Tobago’s David Lanser prevailing in a close five-set battle over Davie Nimmo of Scotland, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 in a tough match. Lanser’s countryman Colin Mowser, seeded third, also tasted victory as he outplayed Martin Goddard of Barbados 11-7, 8-11, 13-11, 11-3.

Other notable results included a three-set win for Andy Gill of Barbados over Mark Oliver of England (11-1, 12-10, 11-6), and a strong showing from Howard Graham of Canada, who defeated Robert Pacey (11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8). Marlon White of Barbados also registered a win against fellow Barbadian Dean Straker (11-3, 11-8, 11-7), while Jason Small, representing Barbados secured a hard-fought victory over Joseph Mekdeci of Guyana, rallying 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-9.

Former national men’s champion and world-acclaimed player Mark Sealy and Duane Burke were also among the winners in the same category (55-74), overcoming Yves Tremblay of Canada and Ken Gray of England, respectively. Sealy triumphed 11-8, 11-9, 11-6, while Burke won 11-3, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 11-6. St. Vincent and the Grenadines were also represented by Andre John, winning 11-6, 11-3, 11-5 over Neil Saunderson of England to round off the victories in this hotly contested division.

In the Men’s 45-54 division, Barbados was well represented. Martin Bryan defeated his countryman Allan Mercer of Barbados in straight sets 11-2, 11-2, 11-7, and similarly Brian Lowe overcame his countryman Gowkaran Bissoon of Trinidad and Tobago 11-10, 11-3, 11-1. Ramzi Asfour of Canada also impressed with an 11-3, 11-8, 11-8 win over Roger Padmore of Barbados, while Don Benn and Steven Miller both advanced with wins over Nick Shepherd and Copeland Straker, hailing from Barbados, respectively.

In the Men’s 35-44 division, Ross Kircher of Canada battled to a 3-1 win over Patrick Downie of Barbados (11-2, 11-12, 11-2, 11-5), and Ryan Truss edged past fellow Barbadian Jason Veira 11-1, 11-5, 11-3. Peter Pitreethsingh of Trinidad had a tougher outing but eventually overcame Gordon Boyd of Canada in a five-set thriller 11-4, 17-15, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9.

In other women’s results, local competitor Alison Smith-Padmore defeated Sarah Taylor of England 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 in the Women’s 35-54 category, and Caroline Goodridge of Barbados secured top honors in the Women’s 55 and Over with a victory over Marsha Holoboff of Canada 11-8, 11-5, 11-6. Meanwhile, in the Women’s 65 and Over, Lyn deCambra-McLeod of Barbados took down Jean Clarke 11-3, 12-10, 11-9.

In the Men’s 65 and Over division, Barbadian squash stalwarts Rudy Goodridge outclassed longtime rival Orson Simpson 11-7, 11-5, 11-2, and Tim Dunkley of England triumphed over countryman Trevor Dunkley 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5. Paul McLeod of Barbados won his match in the Men’s 60-64 age group after defeating Dennis Dias of Guyana 9-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 in a thrilling comeback. (AS)